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The opening session of the trial of Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Mohamed Badie and two top associates has been adjourned until October 29 after security concerns prevented their attendance. The trial of former President Hosni Mubarak, released from detention several days ago, was postponed until September 14 to call more witnesses.

The opening session of the much awaited trial of the Muslim Brotherhood's top leader ended almost as quickly as it began. The presiding judge apologized for the trial's postponement, indicating that the interior ministry had deemed it unsafe for Mohamed Badie and two top associates to be brought to court.

Badie and other top Brotherhood figures were arrested last week in a security clampdown following bouts of violence across the country. Badie is being tried for the deaths of protesters outside of his group's headquarters in Cairo on June 30. More than half a dozen people were killed when the building was looted and burned.

The men are now being held in the Tura Prison, in a Cairo suburb. Leaders of Egypt's interim government have accused top Brotherhood leaders of inciting violence. Badie gave what some Egyptian newspapers called an “incendiary” speech at a protest camp of group supporters, shortly before violence erupted.

Brotherhood spokesmen have called the charges “politically motivated.” Some top Western leaders have also urged Egyptian officials to release the men. But rival political leaders accuse the men of unleashing a torrent of violence across the country and attacking army and police targets in the Sinai.

Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (file photo)

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Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (file photo)

At Egypt's police academy, across town from the Badie trial, former President Hosni Mubarak and his two sons appeared at their long-running trial, before it too was postponed.

The judge indicated more evidence was needed in both of two pending court cases against Mubarak and his sons. He ordered police officials to bring evidence related to a case involving killings of demonstrators during unrest before the former president was toppled in February 2011. A life sentence against Mubarak was overturned earlier this year.

The court session was also the first since the former president was released from prison and placed under house arrest, Thursday.

Another case, involving the purchase of land in the Sinai was also postponed, pending further evidence. A third case involving gifts from the state-owned al Ahram newspaper was dismissed after Mubarak made paid restitution for several gifts.

At this year's annual South by Southwest film and music festival in Austin, Texas, some musicians from Mali were on hand to promote a film about how their lives were upturned by jihadists who destroyed ancient treasures in the city of Timbuktu and prohibited anyone from playing music under threat of death. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Austin, some are afraid to return to their hometowns even though the jihadists are no longer in control there.

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At this year's annual South by Southwest film and music festival in Austin, Texas, some musicians from Mali were on hand to promote a film about how their lives were upturned by jihadists who destroyed ancient treasures in the city of Timbuktu and prohibited anyone from playing music under threat of death. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Austin, some are afraid to return to their hometowns even though the jihadists are no longer in control there.

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American warplanes joined Iraq's battle against the so-called 'Islamic State' in northern Iraq late Wednesday, as Iraqi ground troops launched a massive assault on Tikrit. Analysts say the offensive could take the coalition a step further towards Mosul, the largest city held by Islamic State forces. Others say it could also deepen already-dangerous sectarian tensions in the region. VOA's Heather Murdock has more from Cairo.

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Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry in the Philippines. Close to five million foreign visitors traveled there last year, perhaps lured by the country’s tropical beaches. But Jason Strother reports from Manila that the country hopes to entice more travelers to stay indoors and spend money inside new casinos.

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The continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and the shelling of civilian neighborhoods seem to be pushing more men to join the separatist fighters. Many of the new recruits are residents of Ukraine made bitter by new grievances, as well as old. VOA's Patrick Wells reports.

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Islamic State fighter, a prisoner of Kurdish YPG forces, asked his family asking for forgiveness: "I destroyed myself and I destroyed them along with me." The Syrian youth was one of two detainees who spoke to VOA’s Kurdish Service about the path they chose; their names have been changed and identifying details obscured. VOA's Zana Omer reports.

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More is being discovered about the co-pilot in the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in the French Alps. Investigators say he was hiding a medical condition, raising questions about the mental qualifications of pilots. VOA's Carolyn Presutti reports.

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In cities with heavily congested traffic, people can get around much faster on a motorcycle than in a car. But a rider who is not sure of his route may have to stop to look at the map or consult a GPS. A Russian start-up company is working to make navigation easier for motorcyclists. Designers at Moscow-based LiveMap are developing a smart helmet with a built-in navigation system, head-mounted display and voice recognition. Zlatica Hoke has more.

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U.S. federal law enforcement agents arrested two suburban Chicago men accused of trying to join ISIS overseas, while also plotting attacks in the United States. As VOA’s Kane Farabaugh reports from the Midwest state of Illinois, one of those arrested is a soldier of the Illinois National Guard.

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Traditional push-rim wheelchairs create a lot of stress for arm, shoulder and neck muscles and joints. A redesigned chair, based on readily available bicycle technology, radically increases mobility while reducing the physical effort. VOA’s George Putic reports.

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Beatrice Yardolo was to make history as Liberia’s last Ebola patient. Liberians recently started counting down 42 days, the period that has to go by without a single new infection until the World Health Organization can declare a country Ebola-free. That countdown stopped on March 20 when there was another new case of Ebola, making Yardolo’s story a reminder that Ebola is far from over. Benno Muchler reports from Monrovia.

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Indigenous communities in Cambodia's Ratanakiri province say the government’s economic land concession policy is taking away their land and traditional way of life, making many fear that their identity will soon be lost. Local authorities, though, have denied this is the case. VOA's Say Mony went to investigate and filed this report, narrated by Colin Lovett.

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One of the films that drew big crowds last week at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, tells the story of the last human being to stand on the moon, U.S. astronaut Eugene Cernan. It has been 42 years since Cernan returned from the moon and he laments that no one else has gone there since. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.